A thick sheet of silence wrapped her from the time she came back from the interview. It had been two days but she didn't interact with anyone like before because all the time she was busy with the striking thoughts of Athar.

Other than Athar she never found anyone with whom she could share her pains, joys and thoughts. He was nothing to her still something exceptionally special. Due to circumstances and consequences, she never dared to name the emotions she had for Athar. Whenever she questioned herself regarding what she felt for him she often told herself that it was respect and... and respect only. If by any chance her heart says that it was love, then she felt nervous, frightened and something unnamed. Maybe it was love only, she loved him but she wanted him to figure out her feelings, however, he didn't or maybe he did but never exhibited it.

Athar was the only man till now who played with the strings of her heart without even coming in front of her. When she was with Danish many times she used to miss him. Innumerable times her heart wanted to call him just to listen to his voice, to comfort her soul but after almost one year of her marriage, she somehow managed to stop thinking about this man, not really, however, now he unexpectedly came in front of her to open the book of memories that she had already buried under the rubble of her dreamland.

Her heart was yearning to talk to him from the time of that unexpected meeting. She wanted to tell him everything she faced in these three years and five months. She longed for him to console her in the same manner he used to do years ago. She wanted him to make her smile one more time but halted herself because of some considerable thoughts...

Will she be able to explain everything to him?

How will he react after getting to know about her misery?

Will he be the same Athar who used to support her in every condition?

Has he ever tried to contact her in these years?

And the worst thought...

Does he even remember her or already forgotten?

The last thought was unknowingly horrible. She didn't want to think about it! But what were the benefits of wasting her time on all those things? Closing her eyes for a moment she took a deep breath and pushed all those thoughts away while placing the mobile on the bed again. For the last two days she was struggling, her heart was begging to create a social media account but her brain was stopping her. Unable to conclude anything she just locked herself in the room and decreased the amount of time she used to spend with Aamna, However, Zayan was still sleeping in her lap. She was unable to distance this little boy.

"You should be my baby," looking at the peaceful boy Madiha whispered because he was opposite to his parents who loved to clash every single day. Laying Zayan down on the bed she kissed his cheeks and again picked up her mobile phone.

She was restless, she didn't know what she wanted but deep in her heart, she had a small wish to listen to Athar's voice at least once. Only once.

"Astaghfirullah." she closed her eyes and down beside Zayan. 'kya ho gya hai mujhe? Ye kesi bekaar ki baate soch rhi hu main? Kyu baat karni hai unse? Jo meri zindagi mein kabhi tha hi nhi main uske baare me kyu soch rhi hu?' closing the windows of her soul she scolded herself and unwillingly remembered the day she got married to Danish. She was hopeful to have a good life despite the differences in their appearances and ages but she only got pain. She loved that man... Umm... Tried to love that man but in return, he gave Madiha countless reasons to hate, dreadful experiences and endless pain.

(What has happened to me? Why am I thinking these useless things? Why do I have to talk to him? Why am I thinking about someone who never existed in my life?)

'Jo itne salo tak zindagi ka hissa raha usne bhi dard ke siwa kya de diya? Kisi aur se sympathy kyu chahiye mujhe? Itne saalo tak unse baat nhi Kari, zinda hi hu, mar to nhi gyi na... Mar bhi jati to unhe ya kisi aur ko kya farkh padh jata?" she muttered; tears pleaded to come out from the corner of her eyes but she wiped them away.

(what has the one who has been a part of my life for so many years, given me except pain? Why do I need sympathy from anyone else? I didn't talk to him for so many years and I'm still alive, I didn't die without talking to him... even if I died, what difference would it make to him or anyone else?)

There was no dearth of difficulties in her life and now Athar's thoughts were becoming another problem for her. She wanted to get out of all those things as soon as possible.

"Aapi Aapi Aapi Aapi..." Holding her mobile phone in her left hand Aamna came running inside the room. Her over-excited face was telling another untold story and Madiha sat down on the bed while hushing the mother of this child who was sleeping peacefully.

"kya ho gua?"

(What happened?)

"Aapke liye Fortnighters Magazine se call aayi hai." Madiha was startled by this information, her hand automatically grabbed the mobile passed by Aamna and "Hello." she gulped down nervously on the other side, Aamna held her heart while seeing her with curiosity.

(There's a call for you from Fortnighters magazine.)

"Oh... Okay." Madiha pressed her lips together and nodded. "Sure..."

"Fine. Thank you. Thank you so much." She disconnected the call with a pale face and passed the mobile to Aamna.

"Aapi... What happened?"

"Aamna..." Madiha muttered with a shocked face, "In logo ne to pehle hi bool diya tha ki mujhe ye nokri nhi mil sakti..."

(They already told me that I'm not suitable for this job.)

"Hmm... To abhi kya kaha? Reject karne ke liye to company wale call nhi karte." Aamna asked in a hushed as well as worried tone, Madiha's facial expressions were not giving good vibes, all her excitement was gone in the blink of an eye.

(Hmm, so did they say now? A company never calls you to announce your rejection.)

"Unhone kaha ki main is job ke liye to suitable nhi hu lekin wo log mujhe 3 mahine ki internship offer karna chahte hain... Agar main interest hu to kal se join kar sakti hu." Putting her hand on her already open mouth Aamna gasped loudly.

(They said that I am not suitable for this job but they want to offer me an internship of 3 months... If I'm interested then I can join tomorrow only.)

"Aapi.... Really?" Aamna exclaimed loudly but Madiha blinked blankly with a pale face.

"Kya ye mazakh bhi ho sakta hai? Aamna koi prank to nhi kar rha na hamare sath?" Madiha asked in a hushed tone, she was not ready to believe what she had heard on the call but Aamna grabbed the mobile from Madiha's hand and checked the email from the same company, she jumped with excitement and wanted to hoot but stopped because of her son.

(Could this even be a joke? Aamna, is anyone playing some kind of prank on us?)

"Aapiiii... It is no prank Aapi... See this... They're offering you a relatively smaller package but something is better than nothing. Now you should start preparing for tomorrow." Aamna was over the moon but Madiha was still in disbelief.

Was she going to work in the same office where Athar was already working?

Really?

Wait a second...

Did he work in that office or was he visiting for an interview, just like Madiha and many others?

All the thoughts suddenly started blurring the environment just like the clouds blur the clear sky to pour some water.

<><><><>

Removing the thermometer she checked the temperature which was still displaying 105° F. His temperature was not decreasing from last night. No medicine worked, and no home remedy showed its effectiveness. He was unable to open his eyes even after trying many times.

"Bhai, bhai... " Saad patted his cheek to wake him up so that he could take the medicine but he was almost unconscious. "Bhai, wake up, take this medicine." Somehow Danish opened his half eyes to get a blurry vision of a lady sitting beside Saad, his eyes again closed down while mumbling something.

"Ye kya bol rahe hain?" the lady asked in a hushed tone and Saad leaned near his mouth to hear what he was saying.

"Madiha... Madiha Mera sar daba do... Bohot dard ho rha hai." Saad stood straight and walked towards the door of the room.

(Madiha, press my head, it's bursting, Madiha.)

"kaha jaa rhe ho Saad? Main akele inka dhyan nhi rakh sakti."

(where are you going, Saad? I can't handle him alone.)

"Bhai aapse keh rhe hain ki unke paas hi rahiyega aur unka sar daba dijiye." Saying that Saad walked downstairs with another level of burden on his heart.

(Bhai is telling you to stay near him and press his head.)

"Ab kyu Madiha bhabi ki yaad aa rhi hai? Jab wo yaha thi tab to sirf unhe rulaya hi hai." Saad closed the door of his room and sat down while holding his head with both hands. He was not able to forgive himself. Whenever he sees Danish laughing and smiling with his wife and son he remembers Madiha's tears.

(Why is he missing Madiha Bhabhi now? When she was here he just made her cry.)

He used to clutch a pillow tightly when Madiha's screams echoed in the whole house. Her bruised face, swollen eyes and bleeding corner of her lips questioned his silence every time but he used to cast his sight down. He didn't dare to go against Danish, where would he go if that overbearing man kicked him out of the house? His condition was similar to Madiha only... An orphan living at the mercy of merciless Danish. A helpless creature who was timid to survive alone in this cruel world. A person with shattered dreams and self-respect. Even after hearing countless scolds, taunts and abusive words, he was unable to walk away from this home because he didn't know how to earn his bread and butter. He received two slaps from Danish to hide the fact regarding Madiha's visit to the mosque, followed by numerous abusive words for not informing him as soon as she stepped out of the house.

"Saad." a knock on the door and he opened it. Umera along with her husband stood there with a tense face but her expression changed after seeing tears in Saad's eyes. "Arey, kyu roo rhe ho? Bhai ke liye? Theek ho jayenge wo, humne doctor ko bulaya hai aane wale hain wo." Sami politely patted his shoulder and Saad nodded without meeting his gaze. Only he knew the reason behind his tears.

(Why are you crying? For bhai? Don't worry he'll be fine soon. The doctor is coming in no time.)

"Doctor aa jaye to upar le aana... Aur... bhai ka thoda dhyan rakh lo, bhabi bechari bohot pareshan ho rhi hain, sab kuch akele kese manage karengi wo? Tum hi kuch help kar diya karo." Humaira kind of scolded Saad before going upstairs with her husband and Saad jerked his head.

(Take the Doctor upstairs when he arrives. And... take some care of bhai. Bhabi is having difficulty managing everything alone. At least you help her a little.)

"khana banane ke alawa pura din karti hi kya hain wo? Sara kaam to maid karti hai, phir bhi wo thak jaati hai. Madiha bhabi saare kaam karti thi tab bhi kabhi unki fikar nhi kari kisi ne." Saad mummer but he couldn't speak it out loudly.

(What else does she do other than cook? Everything else is done by the maid but she is tired 24/7. Madiha Bhabhi used to do all the work, yet no one ever cared about her.)

For a person there are three stages to protest against evil, the first and the best is to stop the evil action using his physical power; if he cannot, then by speaking out against it; and if he cannot, then by at least hating it and believing that it is wrong.* Therefore, at least Saas was better than everyone else, he couldn't do anything however he was not criticizing Madiha like all the others nor was he doing her character assassination.

(*check the reference at the end of the chapter.)

After a few minutes, the doctor was checking Danish and Saad saw the expressions of Gohar. She was so enraged as if going to kill someone... And that someone was no one else but Danish.

"I've given him an injection and taken his blood samples. Please make sure to give him medicines on time." the doctor said before closing his small suitcase and Sami walked towards the stairs to see off the doctor.

"Jis Madiha ka naam neend me pukar rahe hain usi ko bula lo, wo hi waqt par dawayi de degi... Aur wo nhi aa sakti to kro apne bhai ki khidmat... Main kisi ki nookar nhi hu jo din raat khidmate karti rahu..." Picking up her son from the cradle Gohor walked out of the room after shouting at Umera and everyone heard a loud thud because she slammed the door of the other room with full power.

(Call Madiha whose name he is calling in slumber, she'll give him the medicine on time... And if she can't then you look after your brother. I am not someone's servant to keep serving day and night...)

"Inhe kya hua?" Asked Umera in confusion and Saad jerked his head. "Hamesha yahi to hota hai... Jab bhi koi kaam karne ki bari aati hai tab ya to inki tabiyat kharab ho jati hai ya mood... Kaam pura hone ke baad sab theek ho jayega."

(what happened to her?)

(This is what always happens... whenever it is time to do some work, her health or mood becomes unwell... and everything becomes fine after the work is done.)

"Lekin bhai ka dhyan ye nhi rakhengi to kon rakhega? Biwi hain ye bhai ki... Main to nhi aa sakti har rooz, mera apna ghar hai, agar main yaha aati rhi to mera ghar kon sambhalega?" Umera looked at her ill brother and then towards Saad who just shrugged.

(But if she doesn't take care of bhai, then who will? She is his wife... I can't live here, I have my own house, if I come here who will take care of my home?)

"Main kya bol sakta hu Aapi... Pehle to Madiha bhabi thi, bhai agar bimar hote the to wo puri puri raat baith ke itna sar aur hath-peyr dabati thi... Ab to wo bhi nhi hain..." Saad reminded Umera about a little part of Madiha's efforts but these people weren't from those who valued something or someone.

(What can I say aapi? Earlier, if bhai fell sick, Madiha bhabi used to sit for the whole night and press

his head, hands and legs… Now even she is not here...)

"Unhone alag tarha ki tension de rakhi thi... 24 ghante aasu bahane ki bimari thi unhe kabhi hasta hua chehra dekhne ko hi nhi milta tha... Har waqt ka matam ka mahool bana rakha hota tha ghar me... Aur inhone alag tarha ki tension de rakhi hai... Pagal ho jaungi in maslo mein."

(she was the reason behind a different kind of stress... She was sick... 24/7 ready to cry! She had been maintaining the atmosphere of mourning in the home every time... But this lady is also an anxiety. I will go crazy in these matters.)

<><><><>

Spooked heart, fidgeting fingers, lightly shaking legs and forehead covered with sweat... This was her condition while sitting in the HR cabin. The lady was explaining the service contract which seemed too difficult to understand.

"For the next three months, you're going to be an intern in this company." the lady passed a warm yet professional smile and Madiha tried to return the same smile but couldn't because of nervousness. "Please provide us with your Identity card to be attached to the contract." said the lady and Madiha nodded.

"Sure." Passing her ID card Madiha waited for a few minutes but the lady sitting in front of her looked puzzled. "Are you married or single? In the employment form, you've filled in 'single' and your identity shows the name of your husband." Madiha blinked blankly for a moment.

"I... Actually..." Before she could stammer a voice echoed in her brain, Aapi, either take some time to reply but do not stammer, talk confidently And she gulped nervously. "I'm a divorcee. Only two months ago I got separated from my husband."

"oh, I see. But you need to update your documents according to your marital status." The lady reminded the fact that Madiha had forgotten about but she nodded. "But what for now? Is there any issue with this?" Madiha asked and the lady thought for a moment then shook her head.

"You can submit an affidavit and undertaking for this... That's it. For now, sign this and join your work." The lady announced and in the whole hour, Madiha was smiling for the very first time. She signed the papers and walked towards the said corner of the lobby which led to a big room.

Standing at the entrance of the room she was examining the environment. It seems like a different world in itself. Three walls of this hall were occupied by numerous desktops, and a big wooden round table was present in the centre of the room, which seemed like a meeting table with a well-organised pile of stationary at the central portion. Numerous young men and women, all in fashionable outfits, were walking from one corner to another without having noticed this lady in a black abaya standing near the already glass door.

Even after trying hard, she was unable to walk inside, thankfully someone noticed her.

"Welcome to the fortnighters, we're delighted to see you here." she was the same lady who interviewed her. "Thank you for having me here Ma'am," Madiha whispered, she was trying to sound formal as well as confident but her nervousness was not hidden. 

"Hey everyone, Meet our new team member, Madiha." The cheerful announcement grabbed everyone's attention but Madiha's heart skipped a beat. All her attention was grabbed by only one face. A round and light bearded face with a sharp nose, a perfect pair of lips with a decent smile but soon that smile converted into a surprised expression then a blank face and the very next moment he whispered something to the girl sitting beside him. They both laughed a little before showing their tablets to each other and again looked at Madiha. Many of her colleagues were greeting her, welcoming her with warm smiles, some were already considering her outdated some were seeing her with amazement as if she was an alien wearing an abaya, but she was unaware of everything as she had a face to focus on unfortunately he didn't bother to have a notice of her.

Soon everyone was back to their work...  Everyone!

"Let's discuss what you have to do." The lady said in a friendly manner and Madiha walked after her. Placing a tablet in front of Madiha the lady told her to take a seat. 

"for now we're working on the already written articles, you can start with editing." Said the lady while passing the tab towards her which was showing an article. "If you want you can use a desktop too," it was an addition and Madiha picked up the tab while shooting her head.

"No, I'll be more comfortable with a tab. Thank you."

"Good, after editing and saving the file you have to report..." The lady stopped for a moment and looked everywhere as if picking one from many. Not him, please... Not him... I don't want to face him. Madiha prayed in her heart. She wasn't expecting Athar in the same department, not only the department but in the same room too... Now she couldn't afford to go in front of him and talk. 

"Sophia," The senior lady stopped a young girl walking who was walking towards a desk. "Yeah, Ma'am?"

"Madiha will report you." The middle-aged lady announced giving new life to Madiha, she felt as if her prayer was answered immediately but this happiness was short-lived.

"Ma'am, please... Not an intern again. I already have to complete my pending articles before the deadline." making a fake cry face Sophia walked away in a hurry.

"Umm... Who can coach an intern..." The lady mumbled while running her gaze everywhere and her eyes stopped on a man wearing a crispy white shirt. "Madiha, after finishing off this task you have to report him." pointing towards a man The lady said and Madiha blocked blankly. "whom?" she asked to reassure herself that she was having some kind of misunderstanding but "That sir, who's wearing a white shirt." saying that the lady walked towards the very man to inform him about the new intern coming under his guidance.

"Ya Allah ye sari cheeze mere sath hi kyu hoti hain?" mumbled Madiha and looked at Athar who was now talking to the senior lady, he glanced at Madiha and then again started working on the laptop without giving much attention.

(Oh Allah, Why do all these things happen to me only?)

What if he recognised me after hearing my voice?

How will he react?

Will he ask me about my family or marriage? If yes then how will I tell him everything? 

Will it be right to tell him everything?

"It takes only ten minutes to edit an article... Not an hour." a rude voice pulled away Madiha from her thoughts and she looked at the lady standing beside her. She was wearing a black formal skirt which was coming to her knees with a formal white shirt, her high bun, light makeup and perfect figure put on a confident look on her already beautiful yet arrogant face. Her eyes questioned Madiha's outfit before walking away and she felt nervous one more time. "I can't do this job," she muttered and felt tears coming in her eyes.

Ehsaan faramosh, auqaat kya hai teri? Na shakal achhi hai na aqal hai na hi kirdaar achha hai... Dusro ke tukdo par palne wali do koodi ki aurat ehsaan maan mera ki tujhse shadi kar li warna apne mamu ke ghar ke kisi koone me padi sad rhi hoti.

(ungrateful woman! You're good for nothing! Neither do you have a good face, a useful brain, or a spotless character... Thank me for marrying you otherwise you would be living the life of a church mouse at your uncle's place.)

'What do you want to do if not this job? Do you want to go to another hell in the name of a second marriage or do you want to be a burden on your younger brother?' She asked herself and grabbed a tissue to wipe her unshed tears before starting her work. 

After half an hour she was done with this small work which should be done within five minutes and walked towards Athar. He was lost in working, his fingers were running on the soft keys of the laptop at the speed of light completely unaware of the one standing beside him. She collected all her courage to say only two words excuse me but unknowingly her tongue twisted to speak out "Assalamualaikum." She was amazed at herself. She never wanted to greet him in this way but maybe it was her old habit that she was unable to change within a single moment. 

"Yeah? Walaikum as salam." Athar turned towards her. For a moment she was unable to breathe. He was the same man whom she had seen in her dreams, in daydreams but today he was present in front of her eyes, just a few inches away from him. 

"Umm... I... I'm Madiha." she muttered while controlling her voice to shiver and holding her tears back which were begging to uncover themselves in front of this man. With whom she had shared her pains in the past other than this man? No one. All her overthinking went to an unknown dark room as if they never existed and she waited for him to ask her... Kesi ho Madam? (How are you madam?) but she always forgets that her expectations do not convert into reality. 

"Hmm... I know. Ma'am ne intro diya tha aapka. Article modify kar liya aapne?" His question gave a jolt to Madiha's heart... She saw him for a long moment. Was he the same man who claimed to recognize her with closed eyes? He was not recognizing her even when she was standing near him.

(Yeah... Ma'am has already introduced you. Have you edited the article?)

"Main aapse kuch puch rha hu. Edit kar liya wo article ya koi problem hai usme?" he repeated himself.

(I'm asking something. Have you completed your task or do you have any difficulty?)

"Ji..." She nodded and passed the tab to him, he went through it and sighed with a cold expression.

"You were supposed to edit it not to re-write the whole thing. In editing, we have to correct grammatical errors, turn the content into active voice, cut off extra punctuation and prepositions, remove uncertain language, avoid repetitive phrases, eliminate filler words and... Ummm... I guess that's it. So have a look at your work again." Passing the tab back to Madiha he announced the last part and Madiha realised that she had done some extra yet useless work to perform well but this was only her mistake. Nodding her head she turned to go but stopped by a voice. 

(PS: see I know how to edit, but I don't. Kudos to my laziness 🙈😂. Sorry for the interruption, you may continue.)

"sit here only, I'll keep a check on your work." without shifting his eyes from his laptop screen he said and Madiha pulled a chair to set it near him.

"Thank you. That's so kind of you," she mumbled while having a seat and Athar turned towards her.

"That's my job not my kindness." his reply was rude enough to clench her heart.

Was he the same Athar or was Madiha mistaken to recognize him? As far as she knew Athar couldn't be rude. She was questioning her eyes as well as her memory but all her doubts were short-lived

"Hey, Athar... Can you fix my computer? Dude I'm again unable to handle updated software." the colleague asked him but Madiha got confirmation that she was not mistaken, he was Athar only. 

"Give me five minutes, I'm coming after saving this essay," Athar replied while saving one file and shutting the laptop down. His colleague nodded and walked away. "Athar..." Madiha whispered under her breath, she was sure that he would listen because he knew the art of hearing her unsaid and unhearing nothing she said... But he stood up from his place, glanced at Madiha, mandated her to finish off the given task and walked away.

Madiha looked at him and then at his table... It was messed up! Placing everything in the correct order she started working on the given task when Athar came back. He was surprised to see the condition of his table but said nothing. "Can you please check it now?" Madiha muttered while passing the tab towards Athar and he nodded. 

"Better." there was a smile on his lips which was enough to give a little confidence to Madiha, "Keep going. There are a few mistakes but that's alright." She smiled back. "Thank you, A..Athar." for a moment he looked up at her smiling face and Madiha waited for him to recognise her but he shifted his eyes back to the tab.

"You can start editing one more article. For now, do editing only, we'll see your writing skills later." Madiha nodded at that professional order and waited for him to say something additional but he gave an amazed look to her, as if asking her why are you still standing here?

"You may go back to your desk. Show your progress after lunchtime."

"Oka... " Before she could complete this small word his swivel chair took a sharp turn and he was facing his desk the very next moment. Madiha blinked blankly.

Didn't he recognize her?

It's acceptable for her that Athar didn't recognize her by face because he had seen her in an abaya with a covered face but he didn't recognize her by her voice too. He was the one to claim to recognize her with closed eyes. 

Jiske sath itne saal nikkah me rahi wo hi mere kirdaar ko nhi pehchan paya ek ajnabi se mujhe ye ummeed kyu hai ki wo mujhe pehchan le?  And she walked to her work place. 

(The person with whom I was married for so many years could not recognize my character. Why do I expect a stranger to recognize me?)

<><><><>

*On the authority of Abu Saeed al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, "Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart [by at least hating it and believing that it is wrong], and that is the weakest of faith."

[Source: Book An-Nawawi 40, Hadith 34]

<><><><>